The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense is speeding up the construction of the secret facilities for the new F-16 fighters.
Since April, the delay has been made up with "redirected resources". This is clear from the decisions of one of the last meetings of the government. Since April, the delay has been made up with "redirected resources", BNR reported.
In order to make up for the "accumulated significant delay in the construction of the infrastructure", the Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov refers to the exceptions under the PPA. Thus, companies recommended by DANS will work on the projects. Due to the priority of the project, an option was chosen that shortens the procedure for the companies. But Zapryanov assures that "higher requirements have been placed on the selection criteria". And that even with a "limited number of potential performers" principles of equality will be observed.
The official minister also cited an assessment of the American side. It has found a significant risk after the arrival of the planes, "that regular flight activity will not be carried out due to a lack of the necessary infrastructure". This could also make their maintenance more expensive, because every 30 days storage activities will be carried out, the volume of which increases in proportion to the time they have not flown. And because the contract does not provide funds for the purchase of spare parts and consumables for such additional storage measures.
Due to a lack of space last year, Bulgaria has already paid tens of thousands of dollars to store the manufactured guided air missiles due to a lack of certified infrastructure. The value of the four secret facilities of the "Graf Ignatievo" air base is slightly over BGN 201 million including VAT. Construction is Bulgaria's responsibility, recalls Minister Atanas Zapryanov.
The first two F-16 aircraft should eventually arrive in Bulgaria in the first quarter of next year. All 8 fighters should be in our country by the end of the third quarter of 2025.